The BEST per-drive defense in the Spagnuolo Era!

Digging into the biggest improvement on the Chiefs defense in 2023

Through six games, there’s no doubt that this is the best defense of the Patrick Mahomes/Steve Spagnuolo era. In almost every measurable metric, Spagnuolo’s Kansas City Chiefs defense has matched or exceeded his previous averages, and this defense — not its high-flying offense — is the main reason why the team is 5-1. While there’s still plenty of time for Andy Reid’s side of the ball to course-correct, the team has the luxury of leaning on their suddenly-terrific defense.

Part of the reason that it seems like the Chiefs have struggled on offense is largely because they keep getting the ball back — and not moving down the field consistently. This is because the Chiefs offense has seen the most possessions with Spagnuolo as their defensive coordinator through six games (eliminating kneel-downs from both sides). The reason behind that lays at the feet of the best per-drive defense in the Spagnuolo era.